[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 37 (Monday, September 17, 2001)]
[Pages 1308-1309]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7462--National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the 
Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001

 September 13, 2001

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked America 
in a series of despicable acts of war. They hijacked four passenger 
jets, crashed two of them into the World Trade Center's twin towers, and 
a third into the Headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense at the 
Pentagon, causing great loss of life and tremendous damage. The fourth 
plane crashed in the Pennsylvania countryside, killing all on board but 
falling well short of its intended target apparently because of the 
heroic efforts of passengers on board. This carnage, which caused the 
collapse of both Trade Center towers and the destruction of part of the 
Pentagon, killed more than 250 airplane passengers and thousands more on 
the ground.
    Civilized people around the world denounce the evildoers who devised 
and executed these terrible attacks. Justice demands that those who 
helped or harbored the terrorists be punished--and punished severely. 
The enormity of their evil demands it. We will use all the resources of 
the United States and our cooperating friends and allies to pursue those 
responsible for this evil, until justice is done.
    We mourn with those who have suffered great and disastrous loss. All 
our hearts have been seared by the sudden and senseless taking of 
innocent lives. We pray for healing and for the strength to serve and 
encourage one another in hope and faith.
    Scripture says: ``Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be 
comforted.'' I call on every American family and the family of America 
to observe a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance, honoring the memory 
of the thousands of victims of these brutal attacks and comforting those 
who lost loved ones. We will persevere through this national tragedy and 
personal loss. In time, we will find healing and recovery; and, in the 
face

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of all this evil, we remain strong and united, ``one Nation under God.''
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and 
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Friday, September 14, 
2001, as a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the 
Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001. I ask that the people of the 
United States and places of worship mark this National Day of Prayer and 
Remembrance with noontime memorial services, the ringing of bells at 
that hour, and evening candlelight remembrance vigils. I encourage 
employers to permit their workers time off during the lunch hour to 
attend the noontime services to pray for our land. I invite the people 
of the world who share our grief to join us in these solemn observances.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day 
of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
sixth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 3:58 p.m., September 
13, 2001]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
September 14.